Touching Bottom Summary

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We have selected Touching Bottom written by Kari Strutt. Our group decided on this short story because it demonstrates a significant change in the protagonist over the course of the story. Touching Bottom focuses on a character who starts off as extremely dependant and then morphs into a person with independence and the ability to be the guide of their own life. To show the dramatic change in Kari’s life we chose a scene that demonstrated this to the extreme. Kari had a multitude of things in her life that were familiar to her, they were her comfort zone. She lived the majority of her life without many changes or uncertainties. However, in the end of the story one of the familiar and comfortable aspects of her life was changed - the water at the …show more content…
She understood that while the murky water presented her with uncertainty, the black lines at the bottom of the pool that gave her complete certainty and comfort still remained. Even without complete transparency, Kari realized that there is a balance between certainty and uncertainty that makes it possible to find your way through unclear situations. The scene reveals that her independence has allowed her to feel comfortable with uncertainty because she knows she's in control. Kari’s reaction to change in this scene is a direct contrast to her persona throughout the rest of the story and that is why we believe is a crucial scene that demonstrates Kari’s transformation.
What the implications of the scene are for other characters
Kari’s ability to swim in the murky salt water is a symbol of her independence and newly discovered confidence. This final scene shows that Kari doesn’t need to dependent on a male figure - such as a husband or father - for support and/or guidance. The fact that there are no other characters in this scene shows how much she has changed because in the rest of the story she is never alone.
The importance of the scene to the

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